It does not need to be pointed out that a country cannot step into a democratic political system from a communist dictatorship overnight, or without dedicated resources that would draw up and act on plans to help rid the country of a remnant communist mindset. It’s been over 25 years since Croatian people voted overwhelmingly in April 1990 for a multi-party parliament based on campaign for a greater sovereignty and eventual independence of Croatia from communist Yugoslavia. At the first sitting of the parliament on 30 May 1990 President Franjo Tuđman announced his manifesto for a new Constitution (ratified at the end of the year) and a multitude of political, economic, and social changes, and how best to achieve them, that would be the backbone of the independent and democratic Croatia. The war of Serb aggression quickly ensued against Croatia and did not completely end until 1998. This of course meant that much of Tudjman’s prescriptive manifesto for how best to achieve democracy and shed communism could not be implemented. And, of course, after his death in December 1999, former and die-hard communists came to government as well as the office of president and this saw a most damaging period for democracy in which de-Tudmanisation occurred based on lies and falsehoods especially regarding the Homeland War whereby victim was being equated with the aggressor; a period in which those in power sought to feed nostalgia for communist Yugoslavia and Josip Broz Tito even though Tito (who died in 1980) and Yugoslavia were much hated by much of the Croatian population. One could say that the powers that be in Croatia at this time after Tudjman’s death worked against the sentiments and political moral fiber of much of the Croatian population.

It goes without saying that to move truly into a democracy Croatia must confront and condemn the dark side of the communist era under Tito and his followers and this has been difficult as opposition and sabotage are very active. When faced with a government that proclaims Tito’s righteousness even though it is undeserving then a huge problem and perpetual division among people exist. But, every once in a while we come across a positive and notable step towards ridding Croatia of the dark ghost of Tito that continues stifling democratic progress in many subtle and not so subtle ways.

Thousands filled the Vatroslav Lisinski Conert Hall in Zagreb on Saturday 31 October 2015 to witness and be present at the posthumous judgment against Josip Broz Tito, the President, the Marshall, the Judge, the Jury and the Executioner, the Dictator of the former communist Yugoslavia delivered by the Croatian National Ethical Tribunal for his crimes against the Croatian people. As these things go in a country like Croatia where communists and former communists control the mainstream media one did not find out about this most important event via that media. Many distinguished guests, academics, former Croatian parliamentarians and government ministers spoke but perhaps at this point it is most significant to note the words of the last speaker of the day – Franc Breznik, member of parliament of Slovenia (Slovenian Democratic Party):

“Today in Croatia, with the ethical condemnation of Tito, Croatian Nurenberg occurred. After the Nuremberg trials, which commenced on 20 November 1945 began the process of De-Notification of Germany. Today’s ethical condemnation of Tito and his ideological followers will start the DE-comunisation of Croatia, Slovenia and other parts of other states that were once part of communist Yugoslavia. Now it is up to us in Slovenia to follow your example Croatia,”said the Slovenian parliamentarian, earning thunderous applause.

Thousands came to witnessthe hearing of testimonies ofvictims of communist crimes in CroatiaZagreb, Croatia – 31 October 2015Croatian National Ethical TribunalPhoto: Oskar Sarunic

People came from all over Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and from around the world – especially representatives of the Croatian diaspora. Also present were representatives of many major veterans associations, from those who have stood in protest for veterans’ rights for almost a year now at Savska 66 in Zagreb to members of the Committee for the defense of Croatian Vukovar.

Prior to the judgment being delivered Dr Marko Veselica – a former dissident and a former political prisoner in Tito’s prisons – and Mr Nikola Stedul, who survived an assassination attempt (five bullet hits) by UDBA’s (Tito’s Communist Yugoslavia Secret Police) agent Vinko Sindicic in Kirkcaldy, Scotland in 1988, spoke. Then Anto Kovacevic, who spent seven years in hard-labour prison for telling a joke about Tito, also gave witness as to the criminal acts and depraved revenge Tito effectuated against all who dared think differently. Kovacevic’s clearly articulated and unequivocally adopted position that without lustration, democracy or economic recovery were not possible for Croatia was met with resounding applause. Other, speakers among many included Eva Kirchmayer Bilic, Dzemaludin Latic and Mladen Pavkovic.

Ante Glibota, vice president of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and Literature spoke about lustration as intercession for a democratic future. For ethical condemnation criminal Tito and his ideological followers came to a large number of Slovenians, which present very strongly welcomed by long applause. Roman Ljeljak, a well-known Slovenian public advocate for the disclosure of Tito’s Partisan army’s post-WWII perpetration of genocide and war crimes and the UDBA assassinations of Croatian political emigrants in Europe, especially in Austria, spoke about the Huda pit (mass grave of innocent 2,000 Croats, 700 Slovenians and 300 German nationals) and the murder of Croatian emigrant Stjepan Crnogorac by UDBA.

Sister Bernardina Crnogoracspoke of her brother Stjepan’s murder in 1972and that the communists stillhold secret the place where his remains were leftafter his murder in Salzburg by communist secret policePhoto: Oskar Sarunic

Dr Zvonimir Separovic, the president of the Croatian National Ethical Tribunal (and Croatian Victimology Society), then moved that the Tribunal attends to the main point on the day’s agenda.
The Croatian National Ethical Tribunal in this its Fifth Judicial sitting, deliberated in this trial against Josip Broz Tito and the Yugoslav Communist totalitarianism on the ethical charges brought on 25 June 2015 for genocide and other serious crimes committed against Croatian people. The tribunal comprised of thefollowing members: Zvonimir Separovic – President of the Tribunal and members Nikola Debelić, Zdravko Tomac, Josip Jurcevic, Zdravko Vladanovic, Zvonimir Hodak, John Kozlic, Bozidar Alic, Ante Beljo, Nevenka Nekic and Tomislav Josic. Josip Broz Tito and the Yugoslav communist totalitarianism were convicted of these criminal charges by the Tribunal.

“Hence, it’s by pure chance that Zoran Milanovic’s case as one of the remaining Tito’s followers has come up at this time. He is judged on two bases: as a follower, a man who even after the discovery of 1700 mass graves and Huda pits he had the audacity to repeat that Tito was the best thing that Croats ever had”. The Ethical Tribunal thus convicted Milanovic.

JUDGED AND CONDEMNED FOR COMMUNIST CRIMESPortrait of Josip Broz TitoPresident of former Communist YugoslaviaPortrait in oil: Charles Billich

Croatian National Ethical Tribunal is a great thing that has happened to the Croatian social conscience scene since 1990 as it gathers large crowds that deal head-on with the dark past of communist crimes that must be dealt with – it is a great pity that government authorities in Croatia look past this as if it had to do with some other people not their own descendants or those victims still living. It is by no measure an easy thing to do what the Ethics Tribunal is doing for these champions of democracy are quickly and maliciously and above all undeservedly labeled by communist nostalgics as fascists or Ustase. It goes without saying that much of the opposition to the process of condemning the Yugoslav communist regime for its crimes is ingrained in the resistance for such in descendants of communists or former communists themselves. Purging itself of communist past with decisive condemnation of its crimes continues to be a most difficult task for Croatia but – not an impossible. Persistence is the key to success! Ina Vukic, Prof. (Zgb); B.A., M.A.Ps. (Syd)

Comments

You are a brilliant woman. I am humbled. My grandfather was Bulgarian. He became a US superior court judge in America. I know he would want to kiss you in greetin upon both cheeks, as if you were family.

A great article Ina. Shocking to read that there is still so much unresolved. My heart goes out to that nun and I hope that with time media control in Croatia will fall into better and more integer hands.

Progress is slow, EAM – at times it fees two steps forward one back, but hey, better than none at all. Still much work to do and I certainly love to write about people who make a difference with positive progress. Thank you

one of the strangest, but most honest writings of this “Josip Broz Tito”! One of the biggest mass murderers of all time, and NO BODY knows his real identity! Why could not Jovanka devulge his identity, as his command of the Croatian language was poor and she was with him for such a long time! But, then Tito couldn’t speak ANY language of the former Jugoslavia very well!

JBT was a truly evil man. A gangster in the true sense of the word. How he came to power and was able to rule for nearly 40 years is utterly beyond belief.
I tip my hat off to all those Croatians, both home and abroad, who stood up and opposed this criminal tyrant,
Even thought JBT died nearly 40 years his personality is stamped all over Croatia today. You can see it in the architecture. You can see it in the cynicism of our compatriots. You can see it in the bureaucracy.
All the indolence and sloth you associate with modern day Croatia found its inspiration in JBT. The lying, cheating and stealing does not occur in the diaspora but it sure does occur in Croatia today. The reason? We had freedom, they had JBT.
So where to from here? We have lost 25 years to irrationality. I hope we dont lose another 25 years. However, things are not looking good.
In economics, JBT’s evil legacy was to leave a monstrous, parasitic state which has sucked the life out of the private sector. I still have not figured out what HDZ intends to do to reduce the monster’s size.
HDZ does not want a floating currency (nor does KGK), they do want to sack public servants, they do not want a flexible labour market, they want to rely on tourism (like Australia relies on mining) and do not wish to diversify. From what I can gather they want to borrow money to keep Tito’s welfare state going.
We may have the chequer board as our symbol but the hammer and sickle still rules. Nothing has changed

Not much (nothing) has changed, Ante, that’s the sad reality as too many wannabes around who carry the ways of the past regime in their bones but there also also some young people who don’t and it’s a matter of time until they get to have power. Hopefully not too long

I wonder why it is that Justice always takes forever to be meted out Ina..
At least the wheels are now well in motion and I trust that justice will prevail..
I just need to say a big thank you Ina, to all of your energy that you put into delivering these updates and posts.. Your work is tireless .. I hope we see one day an end to All of the ingrained hatred and prejudices .. But my heart thinks we will not see the day… But Our world is changing ever more rapidly let us hope the Younger generation learn from the ways of War, and try to live in harmony and tolerance..

Thank you, Sue – the world always gets better when there are people who persist and work on betterment, I am one of those knowing that my contribution is only small but it is the small bits that make a whole. I truly appreciate your feedback and look forward to days when Croatia can leave its terrible past behind so that it no longer defines the way Croatia lives and exists today and the past is only in history books – tagged with appropriate accolades or condemnation, whichever fits whichever part.

Another great post Ina. I continue to congratulate you on the wonderful work you are doing for your people; to inform and educate them on the thing that are important to them. Although yours is selfless service o your people, I really the Croatian people see and recognize the marvelous work you are doing. I wish I had the possibility of reaching the people of Croatia. This would have been my message to them: “Listen to Inavukic. She is saying something. Listen to her.” Courage to you. Keep on.

As an outsider in E. Europe at the end of Soviet Union, I was amazed at the struggle Estonians had with freedom. The security and bondage of govt control. Wrestling with becoming responsible for the outcome of choices, while intoxicating, were simultaneously petrifying.
It’s the same for westerners; we can’t believe someone could resent us, or even hate us. We can’t fathom that there is still violence, real pain, conquest, struggle in this world. We think everything can be solved with words, or lawyers, or money, or more! Thank you! You lifted me today with your sharing!

Thank you, PrayThroughHistory – something must have slipped through our fingers in educating our young how to respect and defend our freedom and – political correctness has stifled a great deal but lets hope that true freedom and choice wins out completely in the end.

Dear Ina,
I am Veronika Cvitkovic Devcic, from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am part of the Croatian community of Buenos Aires.Thanks for all your sturggle for a free and independent state of Croatia!!! I enjoy reading your articles. I have a radio programme called “Croacias Totales” with three friends, in which we speak about Croatian traditions, music, politics, tourism, etc. Our main goal is to make Croatian culture and identity known to all the descendants of Croatian people in this distant country from Domovine. Nanovo, puno ti hvala, Ina na trud, da ne zaboravimo i da aktivno radimo za slobodu hrvatske!!!ZDS, Veronika.

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Welcome!

Welcome to my blog. Here I will bring to you a variety of topics covering the documented truth about that terrible war that Croatia had to endure during the period between 1991 and 1995 and about Croatian political history that shaped a wonderful nation of people.

Croatian people wanted independence for centuries, just as they had it until the twelfth century but fate was not on their side – others wanted their beautiful land. In late 1980′s the will to break free from Yugoslavia which suffocated freedom and self determination through harsh communist party rule finally bore the desired fruit.

In June 1991 Croatia declared its independence; soon after the aggressive war against Croatia broke out. The struggle of the Croatian people for self-determination was a just one. But I fear genuine justice has not been served as there have been, and there still exist, international covert and overt moves to equate victims with aggressors continue in attempts to change history. Truth often becomes obscured and lost and that is why I have chosen to write this blog, to concentrate on actual events and issues about Croatia – wishing it a bright and freedom-loving future.

It certainly was not easy to come out of the war that was fought on two fronts:

1. On the military front the world’s public has seen the indiscriminate bombardment of Croatian cities, towns and villages from land, sea and air; the destruction of civilian targets including homes, schools, hospitals, churches, factories and cultural monuments; the blockading and destruction of roads, bridges and ports; the blockading of power, water, food and medical supplies. What hasn’t been shown on our television sets is the forced clearing and evacuation of towns and villages, followed by looting, torture, rape and murder carried out by the Serbian forces, who were initially backed by the federal Yugoslav army that was largely constituted by Serb nationals; the transportation of multiple hundreds of innocent Croatian civilians from Croatia into concentration camps Serbia (Begejci, Stajicevo, Sremska Mitrovica... from October 1991, and later (1992) transferred into Serb-held camps in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Omarska, Keratern, Manjaca, Trnopolje).

2. The second front was the war of political propaganda centred on: misinformation about the rights of minorities in Croatia; portrayal of the Croatian people as Ustasha or Fascists; the representation of the Croatian defence forces as illegal paramilitary units; the representation of the Croatian and Slovenian republics as unreasonable secessionists who are unwilling to negotiate; a regurgitation of distorted facts about World War II.

Indeed Croatia had an absolute right to defend itself and this is often forgotten if not often denied it.

Ina Vukic

Ina has been a tireless volunteer on humanitarian aid and fundraising for victims of war in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially war orphans. From1991 to beginning of 1994 she contributed in lobbying for international recognition of Croatian independence and Croatia’s rights in defending its territory and people from military aggression by Serbian forces. For this dedicated voluntary work Ina was awarded two Medals of Honour by the first president of the Republic of Croatia in 1995 (Commemorative Medal of the Homeland War and Order of the Croatian Trefoil).Ina has also written hundreds articles for newspapers in Australia and Croatia on the plight of Croatian people for freedom and self-determination, developing democracy in former communist countries. She holds two graduate and one post-graduate university degrees, specialising in behaviour, clinical and political psychology and management.

Blessed Aloysius Stepinac quote:

“When they take everything from you, you’ll be left with two hands; put them together in prayer and then you’ll be the strongest.” Blessed Aloysius Stepinac (1898 – 1960)

First President of Croatia Dr Franjo Tudjman quote:

“They could not, nor will they ever be able to kill our passion and our need to live in human dignity, in peace with ourselves and with the free nations of Europe. We have carved out that right at our first democratic elections. For this right and for our sacred land we are even ready to die” – Dr Franjo Tudjman (1922-1999) ( Addressing the Croatian nation at the moment of the start of Serbian aggression against Croatia, 16 October 1991)

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